Results at Age 8 Years of Early Intervention for Low-Birth-Weight Premature Infants

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Abstract
Objective. —To reevaluate at age 8 years children who had participated during the first 3 years of life in a randomized clinical trial of special services for low-birthweight (LBW) premature infants. Design. —Follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of premature infants (P=.007), verbal IQ score (4.2 points higher,P=.01 ), performance IQ score (3.9 points higher,P=.02), mathematics achievement score (4.8 points higher,P=.04), and receptive vocabulary score (6.7 points higher,P=.001 ). On a physical functioning subscale, the whole intervention group received less favorable ratings, while the lighter LBW intervention group had lower maternal ratings assessing social limitations caused by behavior. Conclusion. —Although at age 8 years there were modest intervention-related differences in the cognitive and academic skills of heavier LBW premature children, attenuation of the large favorable effects seen at 3 years was observed in both the heavier and lighter LBW groups. This indicates a need to develop additional intervention strategies for LBW premature children that can provide sustained benefits.